Removing a certain Member from a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 643
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-18T19:32:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 643) aims to remove Representative Delia Ramirez from her position on the Committee on Homeland Security. It is based on her statement at an event in Mexico City, where she said, "I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American," which the resolution's sponsors argue reflects conduct that does not uphold the House's standards of behavior.
Key Provisions
- Removal Action: The resolution explicitly removes Mrs. Ramirez (Representative Delia Ramirez) from the Committee on Homeland Security.
- Basis for Action: It references Rule XXIII, clause 1 of the House Rules, which requires members, delegates, officers, or employees to behave in a way that reflects creditably on the House.
- Sponsorship and Referral: Introduced by Mr. Gimenez and Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina on August 8, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Ethics for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend statutes or broader laws but alters internal House procedures by changing committee assignments.
- It enforces existing House rules on member conduct, potentially setting a precedent for future removals based on public statements perceived as undermining national loyalty.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Committee on Homeland Security oversees issues like border security, immigration, and disaster response; removing a member could shift the committee's balance, influencing priorities or investigations related to the Department of Homeland Security.
- On Citizens: Minimal direct impact on the general public, though it may affect legislative oversight of homeland security policies that impact immigration, national security, and community safety.
- On International Relations: Indirectly, it highlights tensions around dual identities and patriotism, potentially straining U.S. relations with Guatemala or perceptions in Latin America, but no formal diplomatic changes are proposed.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Representative Delia Ramirez: Directly loses her committee seat, which could limit her influence on homeland security matters and affect her political standing.
- Committee on Homeland Security Members: Other committee members may experience a shift in dynamics, workload distribution, or ideological balance.
- House Leadership and Members: Sponsors (Mr. Gimenez and Mrs. Biggs) and the broader Republican caucus may gain leverage in enforcing conduct standards; Democrats, including Ramirez's supporters, could view it as partisan.
- Constituents in Ramirez's District: Residents of Illinois's 3rd Congressional District (primarily Latino communities) may feel the impact through reduced representation on immigration-related issues.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: The House has broad authority under Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution to determine its own rules, including committee assignments and member discipline. This resolution aligns with that power but could face challenges if seen as infringing on free speech (First Amendment), though internal congressional rules generally take precedence over such claims within the House.
- Political: Highlights partisan divides on issues of national identity and loyalty, especially amid debates on immigration. It may escalate tensions between parties, influence future ethics enforcement, or serve as a tool in intra-House political battles without broader legal precedent. The referral to the Ethics Committee suggests it requires further review before taking effect.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- 2025-08-08: Submitted in House
- 2025-08-08: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Removing a certain Member from a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives. — issued 2025-08-08 — PDF (2 pages)